DNA Fingerprinting
- Teacher: Eleanore B. Sturgill
- Grade Level(s): 9
- Target Audience: Biology I
- Materials Needed: paper, scissors, glue stick
- Class Time: 50 minutes
- Brief Summary: Three fragments of DNA are cut, pasted and compared.
- Student Objective(s): Students will understand what restriction enzymes do, and understand how a DNA sample can link a suspect to a crime.
- Description of Activities: Students have 3 samples of DNA: one from the crime scene, and two others from each of the suspects. Students use scissors in the place of restrictive enzymes and cut the DNA samples only where they see the sequences shown on hand-out. Students then chart the base pairs, and compare it to the actual electrophoresis gel. Then students paste the fragments on the chart according to the number of base pairs indicated on the chart, compare the three patterns and determine the culprit.
- Further Information and References: Mystery Matters: DNA Fingerprinting, Richard Saferstein, CHEMMATTERS, October, 1991
Genetic Conditions & Support Groups | Genetic Societies
| Clinical Resources
| Labs
| Clinics
| Genetics Education
| Careers
| Cytogenetics
| Genome Centers
| Genetic Computer Resources
| Professional Education
| Diversity | Advocacy
| Glossaries | Advisors
| Software
| Disclaimer | Privacy
| About | FAQ
| Suggestions & Feedback
| Search
Genetics Education Center
University of Kansas Medical Center © 1995-2009
Debra Collins, M.S. CGC, Genetic Counselor, dcollins@kumc.edu
This site subscribes to the principles of the HONcode
(Health on the Net, Code of Conduct for Medical and Health Web Sites)
of the Health On the Net Foundation.